The Los Angeles Lakers' upper management is still feeling the sting of Dwight Howard taking $30 million less to sign with the Houston Rockets in the offseason.

Executive vice president of player personnel Jim Buss is the latest to question Howard's commitment to the organization. Buss was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter (H/T CBSSports.com) as saying Howard "was never really a Laker."

Jim Buss said Dwight Howard was just passing through and was never really committed to the Lakers organization. (AP Photo)

"He was just passing through," Buss was quoted as saying. Howard played one season with the Lakers after being acquired from the Orlando Magic in a blockbuster trade.

Jim's sister Jeanie Buss, who heads up the franchise's business operations, struck a different tone, but she, too, isn't happy that the All-Star center went elsewhere.

"It's disappointing that Dwight isn't here," she told the Reporter. "I feel like we failed him."

The Busses' quotes were placed toward the end of a lengthy story about how the two are trying to move the franchise forward after the death last season of their father, former owner Jerry Buss. Professional tension between the two was evident when Jeanie expressed frustration over how Jim makes decisions about the team.

"I would be more comfortable if I understood what the decision process was, and I'm not always involved in it," she told the Reporter. "To be held accountable by the league and not have a seat at the table when decisions are made is hard."